Art Fun Cheap

Artist trading cards (ATC) have been a popular item for the last few years. They are fun to make and fun to trade. Being small, they need not take much time and can be made with scraps from other projects.

ATCs can be miniature paintings or collages, quilts, drawings, photographs, or assemblages. They can be quilted, crocheted, knitted, or sewn and stuffed. They can be hand drawn, or made entirely with computer graphics—and then embellished by hand—or not.

ATCs can be made of metal, wood, paper, cardstock, fabric, leather, canvas, wire, twine, plastic, lace, or any combination. They can be embellished with feathers, beads, thread, glass, stones, faux or real gems, eggshells, buttons, mesh, and…anything that will fit on them.

I’ve seen cards made in each of those techniques and from each of those materials (and probably others) in various combinations.
One artist I know used to cut up her “failed” watercolor paintings into ATCs and embellish them. Her cards were highly prized by other artists who were lucky enough to trade for them.

Trading ATCs

For several years I belonged to a small but avid group of artists who met monthly to trade ATCs. There was so much creativity and inspiration in the group! Each artist worked in many media. We were constantly inspired and learned a lot from each other.

We generally stored our cards, both the ones available for trade and the ones just for display) in three-ring binders. At meetings people would look at each other’s binders and swap cards one on one.

For example, I might find two cards I really wanted but be willing to trade for up to four cards. The other person might find just three cards he wanted. We would strike a deal at three cards and each take the three cards we liked best from the available cards in the other person’s binder.

I like that much better than another plan I have heard of, where each artist makes a card in the same design for each person who is expected at the meeting. So you might have to make 10 or 20 or 30 of the same design. How boring!

With our way, artists are more likely to experiment. Some cards are one of a kind. Others are made in multiples. Originality is prized, but each card is not required to be hand made. With people experimenting and making many different designs, you can have a fine time trading each month, even with only three or four people.

The Two Rules for Artist Trading Cards

When making artist trading cards, there are only two rules: the exact size, and not selling them. That is, (1) artist trading cards must be 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches and not be too thick to fit in standard trading card (baseball or other game) sleeves and pocket pages. And (2) artist trading cards must be traded or freely given , never sold. Otherwise, they are not “artist trading cards.”

Those who choose to make artworks in the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch size are free to sell them under the name of ACEOs. (I forget what that stands for.) Just please do not call them “artist trading cards” or “ATCs.”

Never sell artist trading cards that have been given or traded to you. That would be highly unethical. People have worked, sometimes for many hours, to make a gift to share with friends.

It would also be a violation of copyright. In other words, it would be illegal. If anyone is going to make money from any artist’s creation, the copyright laws say that the original artist is the only one allowed to do so unless you have a signed contract with them that says otherwise.

Artist Trading Card Demo Videos

There is so much variety in artist trading cards that I’m starting a new site just for ATCs. Eventually it will look a lot like this site.

So far, I have collected a bunch of videos of artists making ATCs that you can watch at the new site, Artist Trading Card Ideas.

Sorry there is nothing at the main URL yet. I have collected a lot of cards from friends who have given permission for me to display them, though. And I have scans of dozens of card designs that I made in a variety of media.

I have already written much of the content. When the main site is launched, I’ll let you know.

Meanwhile you can watch some interesting videos on making artist trading cards (ATCs) and ACEOs.